Hershel and the Hanukkah Goblins

Written
by Eric Kimmel  Illustrated by Trina Schart Hyman

Reviewed by Yvoire L. (age 8) and Frankie P. (age 8)

Hershel, of Ostropol, is a more clever man than any other. One day he was walking to the village. He couldn't wait because it was the first day of Hanukkah. Instead of potato latkes, bright candles and merry songs, he found that the village was silent and dark. This is because the goblins hate Hanukkah. The goblins throw potato latkes on the floor, blow out menorah candles, and break dreidels. Hershel decides to go to the synagogue and get rid of the goblins by tricking them. For example, one of the tricks Hershel played was to teach the goblin how to play dreidel but he changes the rules. His rules make the goblin loose all his gold. The goblin is SO mad he said unhappily, "I'm leaving now. I don't like this game. I don't like Hanukkah, and I don't like you." And then . . . well, you will have to read the book to find out how Hershel stops the goblins from ruining Hanukkah.

We like this book because Hershel tricked the goblins. It reminds us of when we trick our little sisters, our family members, and when our family members trick us. The dialogue between Hershel and the goblins is very funny. For example, Hershel says, "Tonight is the first night of Hanukkah." The little goblin replied, "Oh no it's not! We don't allow Hanukkah. Not around here." "Is that so?" said Hershel. "Who's going to stop me? A little pip-squeak like you?" We also enjoyed the illustrations because we thought the goblins looked very funny.

We recommend this book to people who like to play tricks on others. We also recommend this book to people who like stories with goblins and other scary characters.